Employment Posting
Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS) and Youth Action Day Coordinator
The Cowichan Intercultural Society is a Canadian registered charitable organization that has been operating in the Cowichan Valley Region since 1981. We provide services and support to newcomers to Canada settling in the Cowichan Valley, and activities to create a welcoming and inclusive community.
The SWIS staff member will provide newcomers to Canada (children, youth and families) with support to improve their opportunities to participate in social, cultural, civic and economic life in Canada by enabling access to school and community information, services and resources.
Additionally, this year the part-time SWIS worker will be given additional hours to work toward the completion of Youth Action Day with the School District and the youth leadership teams in local schools.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Post-secondary education (social service sectors preferred)
- Experience in actively supporting newcomers and referring newcomers, refugees and immigrants to needed services
- Take Mental Health First Aid and related refugee mental wellness training through IRCC
- Knowledge of current legislation and policies affecting newcomers, refugees and immigrants
- Knowledge and experience of the school environment and ability to work effectively and strategically in a school setting
- Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as verbal and written communication skills
- Organizational, time management, and leadership skills
- Assessment and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated success in relationship-building and coaching youth to empower them
- Knowledge and experience in using a PC and associated programs – Windows, MS Office, etc.
- Ability to share our vision and mission, engage others in support of newcomers to the region
The SWIS role is a part-time position, 20 hours per week. To coordinate Youth Action Day this year, the SWIS worker will be given a top-up in hours between 5-10 hours per week until March 31st 2024.
The hourly wage is $24.25 per hour and includes holiday pay and sick leave. The successful candidate must provide a criminal record check. This position will start in September and ideally the successful candidate will have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
To apply please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by September 15 2023.
Job Description – Settlement Worker in Schools
Role and Responsibilities
Direct Client Service (70%)
- Settlement worker will follow a coordinated case management approach in providing direct service work with the newcomer students and their families (the client).
- Provide services in a supportive, culturally-sensitive and linguistically-appropriate manner
- Participate in the school reception and orientation process for newcomer students and their families
- Provide orientation sessions on programs and services available in the school and community and assist with school registration including accessing transportation
- Inform and orient families and students about settlement-related issues
- Provide outreach services to new families in connection with the School District
- Work with the School District to communicate regarding availability of school activities, committees, councils and associations
- Facilitate referrals and access to available resources in the community, social services, professional services and government programs, while adhering to confidentiality standards
- Provide support groups/group orientation/group activities as needed including working with Youth & Family Worker on summer camp, after-school homework club and other youth related activities like Youth Action Day
- Enable families to advocate on their own behalf, including for the educational needs of children
- Advocate on client's behalf when appropriate
- Be present on-site in the schools as negotiated with the School District during lunch drop-in hours
- Be available for spontaneous requests for support from students, families, and School District employees including possibly crisis management support
Liaise and collaborate with School District staff & external partners (20%)
- Facilitate constructive and culturally-sensitive communication between the school staff and the newcomer students and their families
- Inform and orient staff about settlement-related issues
- Assist the school with initiating contact with all newcomer families
- Provide cultural background information to the school staff as needed
- Facilitate communication between the client and school in group and presentation contexts
- Participate in development and presentation of cultural workshops/resource sharing
- Assist in workshops to increase newcomers' understanding of the educational system and parenting issues in a Canadian context
- Be informed about SWIS best practices and connect with SWIS and related staff in other Districts (SWIS Advisory Group and Refugee Readiness Team)
- Participate on committees, workshops, and conferences
- Work with International Program out of Cowichan Secondary School (gateway for newcomers entering schools)
- Develop Welcome Practices with School District for newcomers
- Work with community partners like VIU and students to help students chart their futures
SWIS Administration (10%)
- Actively participate in all Settlement Team staff and regular meetings and workshops
- Maintain and submit accurate data (tickets) and provide regular updates
- Provide a monthly written report regarding activities and trends
- Maintain overall management of client caseload
- Ensure appropriate and confidential handling of client information and files, according to PIPA and FOIPA standards
- Operate in accordance with the policies, guidelines, and protocols of the program (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), of the Intercultural Society and of the School District
Additional Youth Action Day Tasks and Responsibilities until March 31 2024:
- Work with the School District and youth leadership team to plan, organize and facilitate workshops for Youth Action Day on topics relevant to anti-racism, immigration and integration of children and youth
- Manage budget tracking in Excel to ensure the event is delivered within budgetary limits
- Develop fundraising plan and contact sponsors
- Work with the Volunteer Coordinator when needed to ensure event management
- Coordinate regular recreational and educational events throughout planning to build a strong youth leadership team
- Establish and maintain working relationships with other service providers to invite other non-profit providers to the event
- Provide culturally sensitive problem-solving assistance to clients
- Be on site the day of the event to ensure delivery of all programming
- Work with CIS communications team to promote event
- Develop event materials such as program in Canva
- Complete event by March 31 2024
- Complete reporting materials for the event to BC Gaming
- While this position ends March 31 2024, if future funding is received for the following fiscal year the position can be renewed
Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 25-30 per week
Salary: $24.25 per hour
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Duncan, BC V9L 3S5: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Work Location: In person
